Northern Foods receives new approach

Food manufacturer Northern Foods said it received an approach from food tycoon Ranjit Boparan, boosting its shares, although it reiterated support for a planned merger with Ireland's Greencore.

Responding to a media report, Northern Foods, the biggest maker of Christmas puddings, said that Boparan Holdings approached it on December 17 requesting information. However, it has not yet made an offer proposal to the Northern Foods board.

Boparan, a supplier of chickens to supermarkets and the company behind the Harry Ramsden chain of fish and chip shops, could be looking to threaten the proposed £510m tie-up between Northern Foods and Greencore announced in November.